… twelve years after abduction
Barely 12 years after 276 schoolgirls were abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, by Boko Haram militants, 12 of the rescued girls are set to graduate from the American University of Nigeria, Yola.
President of AUN, Prof Dewayne Frazier, disclosed this on Wednesday while addressing newsmen on the university campus.
He described the graduation of the 12 rescued Chibok girls as a global success story.
Frazier said, “The graduation of several students who were formerly held captive in the Sambisa Forest symbolises more than academic achievement; it is a global testament to resilience, hope, and the indomitable human spirit.
“Their journey from captivity to a university degree has captured worldwide attention as a victory over adversity.”
The AUN president noted that the milestone validated university’s mission as a development-focused institution and demonstrated that it is possible to bridge the gap between trauma and higher education success.
“These graduates now stand as beacons of light for the North-East and the world. Their success sends a powerful message: education is the most proven tool for healing and transformation, capable of reclaiming lives and building a brighter, more secure future for Nigeria,” he said.
Frazier also commended the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs for sponsoring the girls’ education at the university.
Recall that no fewer than 276 girls were abducted on April 14, 2014.
But while 57 escaped on the night of the attack, and many others have been released or escaped over the years, more than 80 still remain unaccounted for, according to recent reports.
The abduction also triggered the global #BringBackOurGirls campaign.
